Best Books to Inspire Young Girls to Pursue STEM!

Did you know that only a small percentage of teen girls want to become scientists? As a female scientist with two young daughters, this upsets me! Girls are just as capable as boys in STEM fields so why are a majority of books geared towards girls all about princesses? Below I’ve listed some kick-ass books profiling amazing women in STEM that aim to inspire and captivate young girls and get them thinking about science!

This title is one of my absolute favorites! The illustrations are creative and captivating while the information is intriguing and awe-inspiring. I fully understand why this was a New York Times bestseller! Women in Science highlights the contributions of fifty incredible women in every field of STEM spanning decades.

One of my favorite things about this is the infographics that teach girls about lab equipment and scientific concepts. Not only are girls learning about the powerful women that came before them, they are learning the tools needed to get there!

As soon as I heard about this book, I immediately ordered one for my girls.

New York Times bestselling author Margot Lee Shetterly’s book is now available in a new edition perfect for young readers. My daughters loved the movie and wanted to learn more and this book is perfect for kids 8-12. The amazing true story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped launch our space program into greatness is one every young girl should read. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. These women sure didn’t!

“If Hidden Figures has you itching to learn more about the women who worked in the space program, pick up Nathalia Holt’s lively, immensely readable history, Rise of the Rocket Girls.” —Entertainment Weekly

The women in Hidden Figures were not the only pioneers in the space program. This book tells the captivating true story of the women of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who launched America into space. I grew up fifteen minutes from JPL and visited it frequently which is why I was originally drawn to this book. It is nice to have a book that discusses the women who made a critical difference in the race to space.Headstrong: 52 Women Who Changed Science-and the World
Paperback (Amazon)

One word my mother always used to describe me was “headstrong”. I never understood if that was a compliment or not until my headstrong personality helped me fight through the stereotypes and negative stigmas I encountered working in science. So when I saw this book, I was thrilled to see the title of this book! Headstrong chronicles the courageous and inspiring journey’s of 52 strong women and discusses their accomplishments, challenges, and impact on the world. These profiles will encourage young girls to engage in their interests in STEM without holding back!Magnificent Minds: 16 Pioneering Women in Science and Medicine
Paperback (Amazon)

A notable mention is Magnificent Minds, which highlights the contributions of 16 women to the advancement of Science and Medicine. I love that it gives details that are typically overlooked when these women are profiled. Such as, Florence Nightengale’s contribution to the use of statistics in public health. This book is not only a celebration of these brilliant minds but, it also empowers girls to pursue uncharted territory in STEM.

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